M11 Junction 7a Work To Begin At Harlow In Winter

Work to create a brand new junction on the M11 to support economic and housing growth in Essex is set to begin this winter.

Planning permission has now been granted to allow Junction 7a and improvements to Gilden Way in Harlow.

Preparation works for the junction are set to start this winter with cars and commuters set to feel the benefits when it opens in 2021. The initial works will be concentrated away from the current road and will therefore cause minimal disruption to motorists.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, said: "This junction will transform the daily lives of businesses and residents by helping to improve links to and from the M11.

"Junction 7a will be on the doorstep of London Stansted Airport and the Harlow Enterprise Zone – helping to keep Essex moving and supporting economic growth for local businesses.

"This is a major project but we are wasting no time in getting people on the ground to begin preparation works, ensuring we deliver the benefits of this scheme as quickly as possible."

The plans for Junction 7a along the M11 aim to:

create a key east/west link to help move traffic smoothly out of Harlow onto the M11

reduce congestion on the north/south links through Harlow and towards Junction 7

support housing and business development

The news comes just weeks after London Stansted Airport announced direct flights to both New York and Boston in America, as well as reaffirming its ambition to serve up to 44 million passengers a year on its existing runway by 2030.

Cllr Bentley added: "I'm delighted that Stansted is now offering a transatlantic route giving people further travel choices on their doorstep.

"With passenger numbers continuing to rise, it offers the perfect solution for short-term aviation capacity issues in London and across the south east.

"What better time to be investing in improvements along the M11 to help make life easier and quicker for holidaymakers and business people travelling to and from the airport.

"Investing in road infrastructure is vital to supporting economic growth in Essex and we are keen to lead the way with forward-thinking projects like our work on M11 Junction 7a."